• by Richard Whitman , Columnist, April 29, 2014

As if it weren't bad enough that tech companies and management consulting firms are stealing business from ad agencies, they now have architectural firms to contend with. Say what? Yup, that's right. Architectural firms. DC-based Hickok Cole Architecture has launched Jickok Cole Creative, which will offer branding, identity and print work for such companies as Bechtel, Cassidy Turley, Pfizer, the Patent and Trademark Office, Lowe Enterpises and more. It's all to help the firm's clients design and market their projects. Of the launch, Senior Principal Yolanda Cole said: "We've already had a graphic design component within the firm, and a strong marketing component. On the other side, there's a whole melding of what brand is, what lifestyle is, and how branding is making its way through lifestyle products." Watch your rear view mirrors, agencies.

Hey - wait a minute. No fair, Canada! You can't just swoop in and steal our clients! We're talking to you, Cossette. Keep your paws off that Chicagoland McDonald's account. What's Leo Burnett going to do now? Okay, just kidding. We love you, Cossette. Awesome work you've done with McDonald's Canada. No doubt you'll do well for Chicago as well. And it looks like your president, Brett Marchand, is very excited! “We're extremely excited about working with McDonald's Owner/Operators in the company’s hometown market. We started our partnership with one Canadian Owner/Operator 37 years ago in Quebec City, and this opportunity is another proud moment in our continued evolution with McDonald’s.” Today, Chicago. Tomorrow, McDonald's America?

Hmm, Cossette. Maybe you want the Miller Lite account? It's available now, since the brand has dumped Saatchi & Saatchi New York...without another agency lined up. Which leads us to believe things became untenable between the two. Of course no one is actually saying that. In fact, MillerCoors VP Pete Marino has nothing but kind words to say about Saatchi and its CEO -- tellingAd Age: "We appreciate the efforts and professionalism from Brent Smart and his team behind our brands. Any immediate needs for Miller Lite and Miller Fortune will be handled by other roster agencies, though we have a lot of current work to draw from that we recently debuted at our sales and marketing conference. We have no timetable for the longer term, and will take our time making decisions that strategically make sense for both brands." RFP time, Cossette?

After 15 years on the job, Ad Council President and CEO Peggy Conlon is retiring. The Ad Council Board has initiated a search for a successor who will be transitioned into the position in early 2015. Of her work for the Council, Ad Council Board Chair Debra Lee said, “Peggy took over the Ad Council at a critical point in history. She quickly organized the advertising industry’s response following the September 11th attacks, which changed the way the Ad Council did business and established the organization as the ‘go to’ source for messages on other crises moving forward, including Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake.” Of her exit, Conlon said, “It has been a tremendous privilege to be a steward of the Ad Council’s mission, representing the extraordinary pro bono efforts of our advertising, media and other agency partners, to stimulate action on key issues and make a measurable impact on our society. I look forward to doing all I can to support a seamless transition for the next president and CEO of this wonderful organization.&rdquo ;